Long Time ESPN Personality Leaving Network

The world wide leader in sports will not renew the contract of one its most popular personalities.

There's no doubt that ESPN's SportsCenter increased in popularity in the early 1990s thanks in large part to then anchor Keith Olbermann. From 1992-1997, Olbermann hosted Sportscenter and became of the station's most recognizable and controversial figures. It took sixteen years, but Olbermann rejoined ESPN in 2013 to host his own show Olbermann which aired late night on ESPN2. The second tenure has lasted much shorter than the first as it was announced Olbermann's contract will not be renewed. ESPN confirmed the report and released this statement.

“Keith is a tremendous talent who has consistently done timely, entertaining and thought-provoking work since returning to ESPN. While the show’s content was distinctive and extremely high quality, we ultimately made a business decision to move in another direction. We wish Keith nothing but the best and trust that his skill and ability will lead him to another promising endeavor.”

 

This is not the first popular peorsonality contract that ESPN has decided not to renew this year. Grantland founder and NBA countdown anchor Bill Simmons was informed his contract would not be renewed this past May. No word yet on the future endeavors of either Simmons or Olbermann.